Re: How Many Drinks Do You Consume A Week?

In January, I had a heart attack. I'm 47,and at the time I had borderline blood pressure and LDL (bad chlorestrol) of 102 (optimum is below 100).I was on the way to my fathers funeral, so it was pretty much stress related (I am also a business owner, 'nuff said)I now drink more consistantly than ever before, which is 2 pours a night. In cardiotherapy, they stressed drinking was fine, at 1 glass a night, although red wine has the most benefits. While I was on the blood thinner Cumadin, I was told not to alter my drinking habits, as blood thinners are monitored and adjusted weekly, and it would impact the tests. And the time, I limit bourbon to after 5pm, sipping them slowly over the course of a few hours; of course wine or beer is sometimes served on weekend lunches. BTW, I almost always have two different pours. It's more fun that way.

Re: How Many Drinks Do You Consume A Week?

Wishing you well on your recovery and if moderate alcohol can be a part it as approved by physicians that sounds good.

I guess I have drink or two most evenings. Sometimes I miss a night, but not too often. Once in a while I'll take in a little more, eg., in Bardstown or at parties here on the weekend. Occaisonally I stop for a couple of weeks or so, because it is a good discipline to do that I think. Also, my overall consumption pattern has not changed (or very much) for almost 30 years. The only change I can detect is I drink better liquor now.

I don't think drinking at this level can be problematic. Certainly it is good to think about it though. My mom always told me to be conscious of it and how much I was taking in and I've never forgotten that. I suppose at some level having a drink almost every day is a "habit" but then so is drinking coffee and eating; there aren't many days in the last 30 years I've missed doing that. I think we all know when a line is crossed and it may be different for each person. Some people have a low tolerance level, some higher. I've always eaten when I have a drink, usually I like a drink before dinner and almost never have one after. And almost never during the day, my work does not allow it but also I am not inclined, that is not the "time" for it. Also, I like to drink fast. It is interesting to read how other people like to take a drink, everyone does it differently from others. I suppose in a perfect world we wouldn't need alcohol but as my favourite drinks writer Frederic Martin has written, it can be a "gay partner" (used in the older non-sexual sense) and not a "crutch" where used right and I think I use it right. The main adverse effect it has on me is weight-related, alcohol is very fattening unfortunately. Alcohol education is vital and it is important to understand that it is not for everyone, or for everyone frequently or very often. Everyone has to carve out his relationship to it who likes a drink and, as Churchill famously said, ensure you get more out of it than it gets out of you. That sums up my attitude to it, I guess. But I'll confess to a puritanical streak about it, I'm always of two minds in the sense of trying to remember it is a psychoactive drug and must not be allowed to get out of hand.

Re: How Many Drinks Do You Consume A Week?

I agree with that, Chuck.

I wonder if there are any comments on the following quotation from Frederick Martin's, An Encyclopedia of Drinks and Drinking:

"There is a great difference between a regular or heavy drinker and an alcoholic (the words "drunkard" and "dipsomaniac" are little used today). A man may drink a bottle of spirits a day for years, live to a healthy and ripe old age, and never come within striking distance of being an alcoholic. An alcoholic has a craving for alcohol, for physical or psychological reasons, yet it is a poison to HIM. .... While it is entirely right that I should mention candidly the problems of alcohol, the vast majority of people have little likelihood of ever meeting a victim of alcoholism".

I have great respect for Frederick Martin but have some difficulty with the statements mentioned above, especially the second sentence.

Re: How Many Drinks Do You Consume A Week?

I was going to challenge gently your point about exercise and its ability to offset other, less beneficial, lifestyle choices. I thought I recalled reading (either in one of the early books on aerobics by Dr. Kenneth Cooper or one by Nathan Pritikin) that a study of Swedish lumberjacks, who consumed and burned 7000 calories a day revealed markedly elevated levels of heart disease.

However, when I Googled (is that really a verb now?) "heart study Swedish lumberjacks", I found this article, which suggest a very different finding.

Now I don't know what to believe.

FWIW, I too have observed that fit people do better in the aftermath of surgery or serious illness.

Re: How Many Drinks Do You Consume A Week?

I went to a specialist the other day ( my ear hurt ) and this question was on the form for me to fill out. Well, I lied. I felt embarrassed. If I told the truth, which is probably 14, I felt like they would think I'm an alcoholic. But the truth is, I can't remember the last time I got drunk. I probably have a combined total of a shot and a half a night. Am I alone? Since this is relatively anonymous, how about everybody else? Do you guys drink nightly? Weekends? What?

No not alone for sure. I have about 4 oz every other day! LOL... I dont get drunk either, just love the taste of good Bourbon! My friend is in Montana and bringing me back 3- bottles of Old Weller 107 Antique and a bottle of George T Stagg... he said it was at 131 proof... I wonder what year?

Re: How Many Drinks Do You Consume A Week?

" A man may drink a bottle of spirits a day for years, live to a healthy and ripe old age, and never come within striking distance of being an alcoholic.

In my opinion, this statement is ridiculous! If someone drinks an entire bottle of spirits a day, he IS an alcoholic. The only reason someone would drink that much is he must have it and his craving is not being satisfied. To me that is an alcoholic!
Personally, I drink about 3-5 ounces each night. I use a Riedel bourbon glass with one ice cube. I sip it over 1-2 hours. I get a slight buzz ( of course the higher the alcohol content, the more of a buzz. ) and it is very relaxing. I savor the flavor as I drink. That, to me, is the most enjoyable part of drinking bourbon.